Category Archives: Architects

Villa Student Projects Presented in Australia…..

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IDEA, the Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association is comprised of universities from Australia and New Zealand offering programs in interior design and interior architecture.  This year their conference and exhibition, Interior Design:- a state of becoming, was held September 6 to 10 in Perth, Australia, hosted by Curtin University.  The conference opening coincided with the exhibition opening, An Interior Affair: A State of Becoming. This was held at Form gallery. Curators fo the show are Marina Lommerse, Curtin University, Australia Jane Lawrence, University of South Australia, Australia Sven Mezhoud, Monash University, Australia Stuart Foster, Massey University, New Zealand. The event was also covered by Gallery Watch, a television program dedicated to support and promotion of the Australian art scene.It was an excellent event to bring all conference participants together to socialize, theorize, meet and greet.   delegates had expectedly travelled from across Australia and New Zealand but also included South Africa, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and other countries.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjo22EpFuAU

The conference theme explored the world of the interior as a state of constant and dynamic ‘becoming’ rather than ‘being’. Asking questions such as:- how do we reconsider the interior and the occupant becoming ‘old’? Where is the value in constantly ‘becoming’ new? How do we re-vision the history of interiors in the light of ‘becoming’? What are the potential roles and responsibilities for Interior Designers / Architects in addressing becoming homeless and ‘being’ disadvantaged?  Sandra Reicis, Associate Professor of Interior Design at Villa Maria College, Buffalo, New York, saw the relationship to a recent Villa student project.  The submitted abstract was reviewed by the conference committee and selected for presentation.  “The Millennium Dream Home: quality of life and quality of surroundings”, documented the project research and design process, including the work of sophomore level students Harrison Walsh and Jillian Schultz.  Challenged to re-think and re-define the American Dream Home the projects demonstrated inclusiveness and domicile adaptiveness, drawing on historical precedent and universal design principles to create well-designed and beautiful interior spaces. As demonstrated in the student diagram above, the use of rotation was integral to the final form and spatial design of the first floor plan by Walsh. Design inspiration was derived from works of fine art on display at the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY. This fused glass piece, crafted by Schultz, was an inspiration from a work by Georgia O’Keefe. The story behind the art piece led Schultz to an exploration of courtyards and passageways, which became integral to her final project. The paper was presented under the topic of interior: in its everydayness together with presentations by Jane Simon, MacQuarie University, Sydney, Australia, Vanessa Galvin, Curtin University, Perth, Australia and Mary Anne Beecher, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.  Other topics included interior: in flux, interior: as performance and interior: as virtual.  The conference included Keynote speakers, Beatriz Colomina, see Interior Design live wire and Charles Rice.  Images of the gallery show can be downloaded here.

In Search of an Opera House…….

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In a perfect visit to Australia the first stop would be the Sydney Opera House.  Located on the Bennelong Point, the opera house came to be as the result of a design competition.  933 architects registered, 230 submitted designs and in January 1957, with the firm endorsement of Eero Saarinen, Jorn Utzon was announced as the winner. Although the composition may be based on the simple opposition of three groups of interlocking shell vaults placed on a terraced platform, the experience of the building is filled with wonder at the complexity and detail that have created an iconic structure that is undoubtedly one of the best known of the 20th century.  On my recent visit to Australia I was able to tour this magnificent building.  I could photograph many parts of the interior, although I could only appreciate the various halls and theatres.  Although the pallette of materials is limited to primarily wood and concrete, the effects of the design and the interplay of light and shadow create an interior like no other.  Although Utzon did not complete the interior spaces, with his exit from the project politically motivated, a degree of the interior spaces nonetheless followed his original design.  In 1973 the building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. In later years, Utzon was called upon to design updates to the interior of the building. Today, only one space remains that is still wholly design by Utzon himself, which is aptly named The Utzon Room.  Featuring a brilliantly colored woolen tapestry measuring 14 meters in length, the room is a venue for parties, special events and small performances. The author, Sandra Reicis, is standing in front of the tapestry.  The Sydney Opera house was a building design that was well ahead of its time and far ahead of available technology.  Simply put….a miracle.Views of the exterior shells shows the tile work.  Tiles are two-toned white and off-white to resemble clouds.

Revit Training…..by popular request……

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Educating students in the art of presentation, and preparing students for the demands of the professional work place is growing in scope and complexity.  We start with hand drawing and work at developing talents in color rendering and technical drawing.  We use these skills in design develoment and concept exploration.  But the world of presentation is growing increasingly more digital!  Pictured above is Junior level student Therese Smith’s rendering of the second floor of a school design with a view to the first floor using the program Revit.  Her presentation was received with highest praise and she went on to present her work at a state-wide education conference.  This past semester, Villa starting receiving requests from graduates for courses in Revit training.  The above rendering was completed by a graduate, keen on learning these new skills, who attended class with Villa students.  Our students have the benefit of learning multiple software programs while studying in their discipline.  Graduates and professionals must rely on self teaching techniques or seek out workshops and training programs.  Villa Maria College, by popular demand, has created a four day training session in Revit Architecutre to help designers and architects learn the skills they need for today’s marketplace.  The course starts on Saturday, September 8, 2012.  Enrollment is open but space is limited.  For additional information and registration contact Connie Broniszewski at 716-961-1815 or at cbroniszewski@villa.edu .  Instruction is with a Villa Faculty professional and students will have access to the Villa computer labs.  This is a great opportunity that is open and available to everyone!

Joan Miro…..from businessman to Catalan artist

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Our morning started with a visit to the Fundacio Joan Miro.  Located at Montjuic, the gallery was design by Miro’s friend, architect Josep Lluis Sert in 1975.  Miro himself donated many of the works that are on display today.  Joan Miro’s life as a professional artist followed a  career as a businessman.  He attended the Barcelona School of Fine Arts above La Llotja.  Thrown out for poor draughtsmanship, he went on to become one of the 20th century’s most original talents.  His work is remarkable for its playful abstracts. He spent much time in Paris, and although he was opposed to the Spanish dictator Franco, he return to Spain in 1940 but lived mainly in Mallorca. He developed a Surrealistic style, noted for vivid colors and fantastical forms. A theme that runs through much of his work is the woman and the bird.  His work is on public display throughout the city, from a sidewalk mural on La Ramblas to the Dona i Ocell ( Women and Bird) sculpture at Parc De Joan Miro.

Font Magica….or the Magic Fountain

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Fountains and cascades descend in terraces from the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.  This National Palace was built for the 1929 International Exhibition.

 

 

 

Located in Montjuic it provides a spectacular vantage point to view the city of Barcelona.  In 1992, the Olympics were held on the southern slopes.  This was not our first nor our last visit to Montjuic.  Home to many galleries and a beautiful park-like setting, we would be back again.Approached from the Placa d’Espanya, between brick pillars that are based on the campanile of St. Mark’s from Venice, the water, light and music show is truly spectacular.  This marvel of engineering was built by Carles Buigas.  The music ranges from the classical to Disney classics, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Queen……singing Viva Barcelona!  We spent an evening at the Fountains…….and it was one of the truly memorable moments of the trip.  This is the most spectacular show of its kind. This was a perfect evening to end a perfect day……the weather was terrific and our driver provided door to fountain service!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgzGa3EbPW0

 

strolling the Park Guell…..

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From a less than successful planned housing community we have a highly successful and wonderfully creative public space…… and another wonderful example of Antoni Gaudi’s genius. The dream of industrialist Eusebio Guell, the park was commissioned in 1910 to be a private housing estate on a hillside high above Barcelona.  Although only two houses were built, the original public spaces are still the most unique and creative that have ever been conceived.  Two fairy-tale like gatehouses are the entrance pavilions for the Park. Gaudi works with the topography to create curving arcades, serpentine seating, pathways and shaded walkways.  Water trickles from the mouth of the park’s multicolored, mosaic dragon, which greets visitors at the flight of steps that leads to the hypostyle hall.  The hall was intended as a market area to service the residents of the original housing project.  The ceiling features mosaic representation of the sun.  The 86 classical columns appear almost conventional in Baudi’s work.  These columns support the open-air square above, which features an ergonomically designed bench that curves around the edges.  Clad in a mosaic design called trencadis the area was intended for markets and public events.  From here are impressive views over Barcelona and the harbor. One of the homes on the property is still owner occupied.  A second home was Gaudi’s own residence, designed for him by one of his students.  He lived here until his work on the Sagrada Familia consumed his time, and he moved into the church to dedicate his life to his final project.  His home is now a museum.   The Casa Museu Gaudi contains furniture designed by the architect and includes benches and cupboards from the Casa Mila.

a bit of Bauhaus in Barcelona…..

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Imagine a sleek, modern, minimalist structure and then imagine it at the 1929 International Exhibition.  Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe the German Pavilion was designed and built for the world exposition.  This small but unique structure intrigued the world and people stood outside for hours to experience the interior.  Although the building was demolished after the exhibition, which is typical, an exact replica was re-built on the site.  The sculpture, Morning by Georg Kolbe is featured in the reflecting pool.  Also of note is the famous Barcelona Chair, which is an iconic furniture piece designed by Mies van der Rohe.  A visit to the historic textile factory across the street, allowed everyone the opportunity to try out the Barcelona Chair.  We also observed an excellent example of new construction complementing historic architecture and structural elements in sculptural forms, abstracted from nature. To the left you can see the glass canopy with the sculptural tree form support system against the historical facade of the original building.  In front is the new ramp system, built below grade so as not to obstruct the view of the building, or interfere with the street scape.

Europe’s most unconventional church…..Sagrada Familia

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The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia is as individual as Barcelona itself. Brimming with symbolism and inspired by nature, this is the greatest work of architect Antoni Gaudi.  This became his life’s work and today his is buried in its crypt.  The church had only one tower completed at the time of Gaudi’s death.  After the Civil War construction continued, but work still continues today.  Eight of the twelve spires, one for each apostle, have been built, each topped by Venetian mosaics.  The Nativity Side, which is the most complete part of Gaudi’s church, has doorways representing Faith, Hope and Charity. The Passion Facade was completed between 1986 and 2000 by designer Josep Maria Subirachs, and exhibit a stark contrast to Gaudi’s work.  The altar canopy, designed by Gaudi, is still waiting for the altar.  Still to come is the central tower, which will be encircled by four large towers representing the Evangelists.  Four towers on the south facade will match the existing four on the west and east facades. Eleven years ago when I first saw the Sagrada Familia, it was filled with scaffolding, and it did not have its roof completed.  The two photos at right and below are from that visit. The progress has been astounding, and it is now projected that work will be completed in 2026. I have compiled the images that represent the present day church, including the museum and school building, in a slide show.  Many of the stained glass windows are now installed, and you can imagine that the white interior will be filled with color and will be most remarkable.  The church is now sufficiently complete to hold services.   So mark your calendars for 2026, when a visit to the completed church is a ‘must do’ event!

Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Mila…….

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Also called La Pedrera, the apartment block Casa Mila was built between 1906 and 1910.  The design was met with mixed appreciation, since it was a severe departure from established construction principles.  The complex is designed around two circular courtyards, and includes the city’s first underground car park.  Exterior features include ironwork balconies by Josep Maria Jujol, and wave-like walls of white stone that give the building it’s truly unique, curvilinear appearance.  The top floor has a museum that explains the architect’s work and provides access to the magical rooftop with unique turrets, chimneys and air ducts.  Each of these sculptural objects is purposeful and practical but creates a unique and visually captivating appearance.  The pathways follow the same principles of the building exterior.  An apartment is maintained with furnishing from the time period, which emphasizes the creative genius of Gaudi.  The apartment is surprisingly spacious with luxury amenities including ensuite bathrooms.

early morning in Barcelona……

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Our visit to the Old Town area of Barcelona started with a brief walking tour and we watched as the city of Barcelona was slowly waking up. Our first stop was the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. This is known as the city’s favorite church.  It is the only example of a purely Catalan Gothic style.  Taking only 55 years to complete, the church has a unity of style both inside and out.  The superb acoustics make it a concert favorite as well. Our tour guide Ingo pointed out the beauty of this church for a destination wedding.  He cited that many a wedding is held there, both large and very small. During the civil war the choir and furnishing were burned, and this adds to the sense of space and simplicity of the church. The design of the door and the details make it a decidedly different architectural example. Then we moved on to the Santa Caterina Market, with it’s memorable roof design by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT Architects Associats. We had a quick breakfast and checked out the lively merchants at the market.  Everything from baked goods, fresh fish, produce, florals, and a very welcome strong cup of coffee were available. The market is a testament to the power of people.  Shoppers select their venue based on the personalities of the shop keeper and employees.  This was a great introduction to Barcelona.